I need to change the alternator belt on a 97 civic ex. I was looking in my helms, i just have one question. In the helms it says deflection method and belt tension gauge method. Does that mean you can check the belt with either method, or must be checked with both methods?

 

ttt

 

I just go by feel

 

lol, is it hard to do by yourself, i've never done really engine work besides puttin on mods i/h/e suspension. Do i have to do anything besides undo the 2 bolts on the alternator?

 

just do what the manual says, follow it exactly.. and you will be fine..

 

Its acutally pretty easy, all you gotta do is loosen the big bolt on the alternator bracket, then you can swivel the alternator towards the engine and the belt will loosen up and then you can just remove it. You are supposed to install the belt with some kind of tool so that you can achieve the proper tension but I just go by the feel. If it feels tight and not loose then its good.